| In the early20thcentury, Shantung Issue was the major problem to perplex Sino-Japaneserelations and also the important problem to influence international relations of East Asia.During World War I, as the partner of Britain, depending on Anglo-Japanese Alliance, Japanjoined the Entente countries against Germany. And it dispatched troops into Shantung andthen occupied it after defeating Germany. In order to gain the legalization of interests, Japanadopted a series of means: firstly it forced China to sign Twenty-One Demands, then aftergetting exchange of notes in1918signed secret treaty on Shantung Issue with Britain, France,Russia and Italy, thus making them keep supportive of or aloof from this issue. At last, Japansigned treaty with America who thus admitted “Adjacent regions have special relationship” onShantung Issue.After World War I, both China and Japan as victorious nations were invited Paris PeaceConference where both unfolded first rivalry on Shantung Issue. Despite China’s advantageon public opinion, with the unusually strong attitude of Japan and the fact that it had signedsecret treaty with participating countries before this conference, the western nations standingon Japan’s side, agreed that Japan would take over all the interests Germany had in Shantung.To this point, Chinese government refused to sign on the treaty. From then on, Shantung Issuebecame an outstanding issue.After Paris Peace Conference, Japan repeatedly required direct negotiation with Beijinggovernment to make the legalization of interests in Shantung. However, because of theopposition of Chinese people, both countries failed to conduct formal negotiation. After that,Britain proposed to convene Washington Conference where both China and Japan wereinvited. Finally, Shantung Issue was settled by the diplomatic way of“Marginal Negotiation”.But can the diplomatic gain and loss in Washington Conference really reflect Japan’sremarkable failure or China’s remarkable success?... |
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